Electric cord spool with in-line handle and cord-end isolators

ABSTRACT

An electric cord storage device is provided. The electric cord storage device includes an elongate member, a first retaining member having a notch and a second retaining member having a notch. The elongate member is coupled between the first retaining member and the second retaining member. The device includes a handle coupled to a side of the second retaining member opposite to and inline with the elongate member. The notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member retains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate member receives the electric wound around the elongate member. The other end of the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S]

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applicationentitled “Electric Cord Spool with In-Line Handle and Cord-EndIsolators,” Ser. No. 62/231,982, filed Jul. 22, 2015, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to electric cord storing devices andmore particularly to an electric cord storage device with an in-linehandle and cord end isolator.

State of the Art

When storing electric cords, wires, ropes or twines (all referred to,herein, as “cord” or “cords”), often the cords become entangled anddifficult to use at a later date. Even when wound around a spool, theends either cannot be conveniently located or the cord comes unwound,loose and prior art models are difficult to handle when trying to windor unwind by hand.

Accordingly, there is a need in for an improved electric cord storagedevice that overcomes these drawbacks of prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electric cord storage system havingan elongate member coupled between two retaining members. An electriccord may have an end retained and isolated using one of the retainingmember to allow the cord to be wound around the elongate member betweenthe retaining member and the other end of the electric cord may the beretained and isolated using one of the retaining members.

An embodiment includes an electric cord storage device comprising: anelongate member; a first retaining member comprising a notch; a secondretaining member comprising a notch, wherein the elongate member iscoupled between the first retaining member and the second retainingmember; and a handle coupled to a side of the second retaining memberopposite to and inline with the elongate member, wherein the notch ofthe first retaining member or the second retaining member retains andisolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate member receives theelectric cord wound around the elongate member and the other end of theelectric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch of thefirst retaining member or the second retaining member.

Another embodiment includes an electric cord storage device comprising:an elongate member; a first retaining member that is disc shaped andcomprising two T-shaped notches; a second retaining member that is discshaped and comprising two T-shaped notches, wherein the elongate memberis coupled between the first retaining member and the second retainingmember; and a handle having a hook, the handle coupled to a side of thesecond retaining member opposite to and inline with the elongate member,wherein the notch of the first retaining member or the second retainingmember retains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongatemember receives the electric wound around the elongate member and theother end of the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in thenotch of the first retaining member or the second retaining member, andwherein the elongate member, the first retaining member, the secondretaining member and the handle are a single unitary body.

Yet another embodiment includes a method of using an electric cordstorage device, the method comprising: receiving, retaining andisolating a first end of an electric cord using a first or secondretaining member of electric cord storage device; winding the electriccord around an elongate member of the electric cord storage devicecoupled between the first and second retaining members; receiving,retaining and isolating a second end of the electric cord using thefirst or second retaining member of the electric cord storage device;and storing the electric cord storage device with the electric cordcoupled to it using a hook of an in-line handle of the electric cordstorage device.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric cord storage device, inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of an electric cord storage device,in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is side view of an electric cord storage device, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an electric cord storage device, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a section view of an electric cord storage device taken alongline A-A of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an end view of an electric cord storage device, in accordancewith an embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a handle end view of an electric cord storage device, inaccordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to anelectric cord storage system having an elongate member coupled betweentwo retaining members. An electric cord may have an end retained andisolated using one of the retaining member to allow the cord to be woundaround the elongate member between the retaining member and the otherend of the electric cord may the be retained and isolated using one ofthe retaining members.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an electric cord storage device 10 is depictedin accordance with an embodiment. The device 10 may include a firstretaining member 12, a second retaining member 16, an in-line handle 20and an elongate member 24. The first retaining member 12 may be a discor a flange coupled to an end of the elongate member 24. The firstretaining member 12 may include at least one notch 14 that is T-shaped.In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the first retaining member 12is circular in shape, such as, but not limited to a disc shape, andincludes two notches 14 that are T-shaped. The T-shape notch 14 includesa tapered opening extending from the edge of the first retaining member12, wherein the opening narrows as notch 14 extends radially into thefirst retaining member 12. The notch 14 then extends concentrically ineach direction and widening as it extends in each directionconcentrically. The narrowing of the notch 14 provides additionalfriction to an end of an electric cord inserted within the notch 14 toisolate the end of the electric cord and resist accidental removal ofthe isolated end of the cord from the notch 14. This allows the user towind the cord onto the electric cord storage device 10 much easierwithout the worry of the end of the electric cord coming loose duringwinding. If the winding ends, the notch 14 may also be used to retainthe other end of the electric cord to keep the electric cord fromfalling off and thereby retaining the electric cord on the device 10.

The second retaining member 16 may be a disc or a flange coupled to anend of the elongate member 24 opposite of the first retaining member 12.The second retaining member 16 may include at least one notch 18 that isT-shaped. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the second retainingmember 16 is circular in shape includes two notches 18 that areT-shaped. The T-shape notch 18 includes a tapered opening extending fromthe edge of the second retaining member 16, wherein the opening narrowsas notch 18 extends radially into the second retaining member 16. Thenotch then extends concentrically in each direction and widening as itextends in each direction concentrically. The narrowing of the notch 18provides additional friction to an end of an electric cord insertedwithin the notch 18 to isolate the end of the electric cord and resistaccidental removal of the isolated end of the cord from the notch 18.This allows the user to wind the cord onto the electric cord storagedevice 10 much easier without the worry of the end of the electric cordcoming loose during winding. If the winding ends, the notch 18 may alsobe used to retain the other end of the electric cord to keep theelectric cord from falling off and thereby retaining the electric cordon the device 10.

The elongate member 24 is coupled between the first retaining member 12and the second retaining member 16. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the elongatemember 24 may be a circular cylinder shape. While elongate member 24 isdepicted as a circular shaft, it will be understood that the crosssection of elongate member 24 may be any shape, such as a triangle,square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon and any rectilinear orcurvilinear shape that is elongate to form a shaft. In some embodimentsthe elongate member 24 can be made of multiple component parts such as,but not limited to, a slip rod or telescoping member that can beextended or collapsed to adjust the length of the elongate member toaccount for varying lengths of electric cord to be stored. Once anelectric cord is isolated within a notch 14 or a notch 18, the electriccord is wound around the elongate member 24 between the first retainingmember 12 and the second retaining member 16. The retaining members 12and 16 operate to retain the electric cord on the elongate member 24 tokeep the electric cord from sliding off an end of the elongate member24. The elongate member 24 includes an axis that extends along thelength of the elongate member in a center of the elongate member. Itwill be understood that the elongate member 24 may be fixedly coupledbetween the first retaining member 12 and the second retaining member16, however, in other embodiments, the elongate member 24 may berotatably coupled between the first and second elongate members 12 and16 to be rotated about an axis.

The in-line handle 20 is coupled to the second retaining member 16 on anopposite side of the second retaining member that is coupled to theelongate member 24. The handle 20 is inline with the elongate member 24.The handle 20 may include an axis extending through the center and alongthe length of the handle 20 that is aligned with the axis of theelongate member 24. In at least this way, the handle 16 is in-line withthe elongate member 24. This allows the user to wind the electric cordabout the elongate member 24 utilizing the handle 20 to hold and rotatethe device 10 using one hand and then control and guide the electriccord onto the elongate member 24 using the other hand. The handle 16 mayinclude a notch 22 extending through it with a hook end 30. The notch 22with a hook end for storing the device 10 by hanging it on a line, ahook or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electric storage device comprising the firstretaining member 12, the second retaining member 16, the handle 20, theelongate member 24 and all other components discussed above may beformed as a single unitary body. In some embodiments the elongate member24 can be made of multiple component parts such as, but not limited to,a slip rod or telescoping member that can be extended or collapsed toadjust the length of the elongate member to account for varying lengthsof electric cord to be stored.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of usingan electric cord storage system. The method of use includes receiving,retaining and isolating a first end of an electric cord using a first orsecond retaining member of electric cord storage device; winding theelectric cord around an elongate member of the electric cord storagedevice coupled between the first and second retaining members;receiving, retaining and isolating a second end of the electric cordusing the first or second retaining member of the electric cord storagedevice; and storing the electric cord storage device with the electriccord coupled to it using a hook of an in-line handle of the electriccord storage device.

The method step of receiving, retaining and isolating the first end ofthe electric cord may comprise coupling the first end of the electriccord within a T-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member;and receiving retaining and isolating the second end of the electriccord each comprise coupling the second end of the electric cord within aT-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member.

The components defining any electric cord storage device may be formedof any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof thatcan readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the componentsselected are consistent with the intended operation of an electric cordstorage device. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers(synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such asfiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/orother like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS,Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene,Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, PhenolicResin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), anycombination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/orother like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper,iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel,aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys,such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy,any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitablematerial; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any electric cord storage devicemay be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and thenassembled together. However, any or all of the components may bemanufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another.Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involveextrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding,resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling,drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending,welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or thelike. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they maythen be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, aweld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin,and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like forexample, depending on, among other considerations, the particularmaterial forming the components. Other possible steps might include sandblasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hardanodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order tobest explain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit andscope of the forthcoming claims.

1. An electric cord storage device comprising: an elongate member; afirst retaining member comprising a notch; a second retaining membercomprising a notch, wherein the elongate member is coupled between thefirst retaining member and the second retaining member; and a handlecoupled to a side of the second retaining member opposite to and inlinewith the elongate member, wherein the notch of the first retainingmember or the second retaining member retains and isolates an end of anelectric cord and the elongate member receives the electric wound aroundthe elongate member and the other end of the electric cord is received,retained and isolated in the notch of the first retaining member or thesecond retaining member.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstretaining member is a disc shape.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein thefirst retaining member comprises two notches.
 4. The device of claim 3,wherein the notches of the first retaining member are T-shaped notches.5. The device of claim 4, wherein each T-shaped notch includes a taperedopening extending from an edge of the first retaining member, whereinthe opening narrows as notch extends radially into the first retainingmember.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein each T-shaped notch alsoextends concentrically in each direction and widening as it extends ineach direction concentrically.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein thesecond retaining member is a disc shape.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein the second retaining member comprises two notches.
 9. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the notches of the second retaining member areT-shaped notches.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein each T-shaped notchincludes a tapered opening extending from an edge of the secondretaining member, wherein the opening narrows as notch extends radiallyinto the first retaining member.
 11. The device of claim 10, whereineach T-shaped notch also extends concentrically in each direction andwidening as it extends in each direction concentrically.
 12. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the elongate member is a circular cylindrical shaft.13. An electric cord storage device comprising: an elongate member; afirst retaining member that is disc shaped and comprising two T-shapednotches; a second retaining member that is disc shaped and comprisingtwo T-shaped notches, wherein the elongate member is coupled between thefirst retaining member and the second retaining member; and a handlehaving a hook, the handle coupled to a side of the second retainingmember opposite to and inline with the elongate member, wherein thenotch of the first retaining member or the second retaining memberretains and isolates an end of an electric cord and the elongate memberreceives the electric wound around the elongate member and the other endof the electric cord is received, retained and isolated in the notch ofthe first retaining member or the second retaining member; and whereinthe elongate member, the first retaining member, the second retainingmember and the handle are a single unitary body.
 14. The device of claim13, wherein each T-shaped notch includes a tapered opening extendingfrom an edge of the first retaining member, wherein the opening narrowsas notch extends radially into the first retaining member.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein each T-shaped notch also extendsconcentrically in each direction and widening as it extends in eachdirection concentrically.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein eachT-shaped notch includes a tapered opening extending from an edge of thesecond retaining member, wherein the opening narrows as notch extendsradially into the first retaining member.
 17. The device of claim 16,wherein each T-shaped notch also extends concentrically in eachdirection and widening as it extends in each direction concentrically.18. The device of claim 13, wherein the elongate member is a circularcylindrical shaft.
 19. A method of using an electric cord storagedevice, the method comprising: receiving, retaining and isolating afirst end of an electric cord using a first or second retaining memberof electric cord storage device; winding the electric cord around anelongate member of the electric cord storage device coupled between thefirst and second retaining members; receiving, retaining and isolating asecond end of the electric cord using the first or second retainingmember of the electric cord storage device; and storing the electriccord storage device with the electric cord coupled to it using a hook ofan in-line handle of the electric cord storage device.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein receiving, retaining and isolating the first end ofthe electric cord comprises coupling the first end of the electric cordwithin a T-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member; andreceiving retaining and isolating the second end of the electric cordeach comprise coupling the second end of the electric cord within aT-shaped notch in the first or second retaining member.